Powerful and low-investment themes

While I was developing a plan for a U14s school team for the coming season, my co-coach and I decided on our attacking themes.

We are into the season extremely quickly, with less than five hours of contact time with the group before the first game.

In attack, our core theme is winning the 1v1 contests. Whenever a player has their hands on the ball, we want them to feel confident that they can make something happen.

The key principle of attacking rugby is moving forward, ideally through space. The next challenge is moving the ball to that space.

However, a ball carrier is not just a carrier – they are creators of opportunities. They may have to beat a defender at some stage; on the wing, that might be a foot race. But this situation often means that the ball carrier might face contact.

The worst outcome is that the ball carrier crumples into the tackle. This increases the chances of a turnover, and much less of an opportunity for a positive ball presentation or offload out of the tackle.

Relatively bigger players will be able to dominate the tackle area. But what ’dominates’ looks like in the mind of a 13-year-old isn’t necessarily the best outcome for the team. It’s also unlikely to develop the player, either.

That means every player needs to know the best outcomes and how they can find their way to them.

Equally-matched players need to give themselves the advantage over the tackler, while ill-matched players must find ways to create the best outcome.

We will create a hierarchy of contact outcomes. Training will help players find ways to win 1v1s and build resilience to bounce back if they failed in their last attempt.

I think this is one of rugby’s essences—players need to learn how to carry the ball effectively, not just now but as they grow and as others around them grow.

The theme is low-investment because every player should enjoy that sensation, and it is easy to coach.

The feeling is powerful, and the message is simple.